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No. It was not a strategic deployment. It was a politically motivated tactical deployment and an entirely inappropriate use of a strategic resource in my view.
The National Strategic Stockpile of materials is just that; strategic. What Sec. Napolitano did was deploy a strategic resource for a politically tactical reason. This is very worrisome because it shows that she does not have a grasp of just how severe the current situation is.
Why? Simply put strategic resources must be maintained in reserve for use in as a last resort. They are resources that a country reserves for use when its very existence is threatened. The anti-viral drugs maintained in the National Strategic Stockpile have already been designated for use by the CDC?s updated rationing plan, one I support. The diversion of a quarter of this precious resource for non-targeted civilian use for treatment of those with influenza within the states most affected by the virus is a violation of the policy adopted by the CDC .
This is an important issue because the doses released by DHS from the strategic stockpile have been earmarked for use by fireman, policeman, EMS, the political leadership, nurses, doctors, pharmacists and many others responsible for maintaining our critical infrastructure including electric power, clean water and food on the table. While the drugs diverted by the Secretary for general use will save lives and all lives have great value, her choice to do so was not a humane one in the long run.
Why? The very lives that might be saved by this premature release of these strategic drugs may well be lost along with countless others as a result of the deaths of a similar number of the critical workers listed above if the pandemic becomes severe. What?s more, the recovery of our or any nation post pandemic will require the combined efforts of the very same critical workers. The fewer who survive the pandemic, the longer it will take for us to recover.
Secretary Napalitono?s misguided actions yesterday serve her and the administration by making the appearance that they are doing something. To the administration this move may appear as politically astute in the short-term since in the minds of the masses it suggests that the government it ?taking action? against the Swine Flu. What has not been clearly acknowledged however is that this action, for the reasons mentioned above is one that has potentially significant long-term sacrifices for both our citizens and national recovery post-pandemic.
Grattan Woodson, MD
The National Strategic Stockpile of materials is just that; strategic. What Sec. Napolitano did was deploy a strategic resource for a politically tactical reason. This is very worrisome because it shows that she does not have a grasp of just how severe the current situation is.
Why? Simply put strategic resources must be maintained in reserve for use in as a last resort. They are resources that a country reserves for use when its very existence is threatened. The anti-viral drugs maintained in the National Strategic Stockpile have already been designated for use by the CDC?s updated rationing plan, one I support. The diversion of a quarter of this precious resource for non-targeted civilian use for treatment of those with influenza within the states most affected by the virus is a violation of the policy adopted by the CDC .
This is an important issue because the doses released by DHS from the strategic stockpile have been earmarked for use by fireman, policeman, EMS, the political leadership, nurses, doctors, pharmacists and many others responsible for maintaining our critical infrastructure including electric power, clean water and food on the table. While the drugs diverted by the Secretary for general use will save lives and all lives have great value, her choice to do so was not a humane one in the long run.
Why? The very lives that might be saved by this premature release of these strategic drugs may well be lost along with countless others as a result of the deaths of a similar number of the critical workers listed above if the pandemic becomes severe. What?s more, the recovery of our or any nation post pandemic will require the combined efforts of the very same critical workers. The fewer who survive the pandemic, the longer it will take for us to recover.
Secretary Napalitono?s misguided actions yesterday serve her and the administration by making the appearance that they are doing something. To the administration this move may appear as politically astute in the short-term since in the minds of the masses it suggests that the government it ?taking action? against the Swine Flu. What has not been clearly acknowledged however is that this action, for the reasons mentioned above is one that has potentially significant long-term sacrifices for both our citizens and national recovery post-pandemic.
Grattan Woodson, MD
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